UPDATE: The Democratic National Convention and The Mint Museum

August 01, 2012

UPDATE August 21, 2012: Please click this link to see hours of operation during the Democratic National Convention week for both locations of The Mint Museum!

The Charlotte Observer declared the Mint the most “coveted” venue in town during the Democratic National Convention, and bookings at both museum locations have followed suit! Museum staffers are hard at work finalizing the plans for the convention week, September 1-7, so keep a close eye on mintmuseum.org for updates as the week draws near. For now, here are some of the updates we can share:

As previously announced, Mint Museum Uptown will host the delegations from Illinois, Hawaii, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio during the official welcoming party on Sunday, September 2.

Mint Museum Uptown will be open FREE on Labor Day, September 3, in conjunction with the CarolinaFest street festival to be held along Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte. The hours of the festival are 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.; the Mint will announce specific hours of operation closer to the date.

Mint Museum Randolph has so far landed three DNC bookings (and more bookings may be added). Currently, plans call for keeping Mint Museum Randolph OPEN during normal operating hours throughout the week. Hours are subject to change, however, so check mintmuseum.org before planning your visit that week.

As of this week, Mint Museum Uptown has 18 bookings during the DNC week, and bookings are still being accepted. In addition, Halcyon restaurant, which shares the museum’s second floor, has another six bookings so far. The museum will need to be closed to the public during certain times that week when events occupy the entire museum, but those hours are still being determined. They will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Also keep an eye out for updates regarding museum entrance access and parking (but keep in mind, use of public transportation to enter uptown is strongly encouraged).

Just in time for the arrival of the delegates and the national media, Mint Museum Uptown is preparing to debut the blockbuster new exhibition Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art, Craft, and Design, featuring the work of the world’s top contemporary artists and designers in the versatile medium of wood. Local and national media will be invited to a preview of the exhibition on Friday, August 31, and it will open to museum visitors on Saturday, September 1. The museum is expected to be open to the public that day (specific hours to be determined). Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art, Craft, and Design will remain on view through January 27, 2013. It is brought to The Mint Museum through the support of Moore & Van Allen PLLC and Founders’ Circle Ltd. The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Arts and Design and made possible, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from Larry and Madeline Mohr.

The Mint Museum is also launching its innovative new project, “Vote for Art,” during the DNC. Six of the world’s top contemporary works of art will be on display, and visitors can vote for their favorites. The museum will acquire the work or works with the most votes. All visitors during DNC week will be offered ballots and opportunities to cast votes; voting opens to the general public on October 1 and winners will be announced November 9. Click here for more information!